Happy end of February! I don’t know about you but I am soooo ready. It’s been a yucky winter for a lot of us with all the respiratory junk. The best part of this month was gathering with friends at Superbowl. See me in the pink? The 5 people on the far side of the couch from me are my brother and his family.
One thing on my to-do list for this month was to try a new cookie recipe. Unfortunately there was too much gunky sickness going on for that to happen but I did try a new appetizer recipe for Superbowl. Let’s start our Friday Finds off with that!
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I don’t recall ever making homemade jalapeño poppers—maybe just once, and that was ages ago. Fortunately, the first one I tried was a winner! These Bacon-Wrapped, Cheesy, Chorizo-Stuffed Jalapeños from What’s Gabby Cooking will easily become a favorite as Drew is a devoted chorizo enthusiast. LOL And if you’re not into jalapeños, swapping in sweet baby peppers works wonderfully.
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If you have students who are fans of Wicked, then let me help you make their day… Chrissy Ricker has a whole series of Wicked arrangements now available! Wahoo!
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We’re getting close to the time of year when we as studio teachers start thinking more about what we want the next school year to look like. Tuition raises should always be a factor in this process. I was actually super impressed with this tuition calculator from outsidethebachs.com. It was pretty spot on to the rates I’m currently charging.
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I’m saddened to say that my once-favorite olive oil dispenser has lost its appeal. I appreciated its small size and the convenience of the two-speed pour spout, but the twist-off lid has become a major frustration. Even when not overly tightened, the lid forms a tight suction seal that makes opening the bottle nearly impossible. My husband had to assist every single time, until the one time even HE struggled to remove it. We were done.
I can’t believe how many websites recommend this OXO olive oil bottle and yet I’ve not heard anyone speak of this trouble. Well, my personal experience means I now retract this recommendation. (My apologies to anyone who purchased this on my advice!) I hope you aren’t having the same trouble!
Now, I find myself very satisfied with the simple, classic Zulay Olive Oil Dispenser.
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Rethinking the Way You Organize Piano Games and Manipulatives (Amy Chaplin | MelodyPayne.com)
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Teacher friend Daniel Light wrote a really thorough article recently on Choosing Bluetooth Speakers for Your Piano Studio on the ColourfulKeys.ie blog. Daniel is one teacher friend I often turn to myself for tech advice and questions so I trust his thought process and advice completely!
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Sushi vs. Sashimi vs. Nigiri: Everything to Know about the Different Types of Sushi (The Kitchen)
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Piano Keyboard Diagrams for Creating Music Theory Sheets (Natalie Weber | MusicMattersBlog.com)
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Cancelling Cancel Culture with Loretta Ross (Rethinking with Adam Grant podcast from TED)
“As a public intellectual, activist and professor at Smith College, Loretta Ross is no stranger to confrontation and debate. But years of working to change the minds of others have led her to rethink her own ideas about approaching difficult conversations. Loretta and Adam discuss why shaming rarely changes behavior and her powerful alternative to cancel culture. They also reflect on personal moments of confrontation and explore strategies for talking others out of hate.“
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We really enjoyed the first season of this thriller series. It had a really great spin at the end which we knew would happen but it took a turn that we would have never guessed. (My favorite!) We haven’t gotten into Season 2 yet, but I’m looking forward to it! Watch on Apple TV.
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New piano podcast alert! Elizabeth Davis-Everhart (who has made an appearance on the Piano Pantry Podcast last year talking about Google Classroom), just started a new podcast called Creative Piano Pedagogy. Her focus is on working with students with disabilities, physical or learning differences, gifted and 2-E learners and neurodivergent students. It’s only two episodes in so now is a good time to check it out!
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12 Myths About Doing Laundry (The Washington Post)
Your turn! What great finds did you come across over this past month? LMK in the comments below!
Thank you for these. I did the tuition calculator, and I came in low, but it is okay. Recently, I checked rates with a local music studio, and I about had heart failure. I understand they have overhead and such, but wow!! Purchases: I purchased 2 recommended items this week. I’m unsure if you recommended the Flairosol/Olivia olive oil sprayer, but I received it yesterday. I purchased the collapsible Electric Kettle to take to the MTNA convention and on the road with us this summer. Nicola Canton recommended it. It will keep my tea “pure”! No coffee taste from those machines in the hotels!!
A collapsible tea kettle?! Cool! I didn’t even know those existed. I agree. I am not a fan of those coffee hotel room machines. I would rather spend money on a Starbucks every day for 3 days than use those LOL. I do not know that EVOO sprayer. Hope you like it!